Fish Explorer Logo
Florida
Florida Fishing FishExplorer.com
Florida Fishing  
Login Usr:Psd:
No account? Register now...
 
spacer spacer
spacer

Florida Fish Species

Alligator Gar
American Eel
American Shad
Atlantic Croaker
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Black Bullhead
Black Crappie
Black Drum
Blue Catfish
Blue Tilapia
Bluegill
Bowfin
Brown Bullhead
Brown Hoplo
Chain Pickerel
Channel Catfish
Clown Knifefish
Common Carp
Flathead Catfish
Flier
Florida Gar
Gizzard Shad
Golden Shiner
Goldfish
Grass Carp
Green Sunfish
Hybrid Striped Bass(wiper/palmetto)
Inland Silverside
Ladyfish
Lake Chubsucker
Largemouth Bass
Longnose Gar
Longnose Sucker
Mayan Cichlid
Mozambique Tilapia
Oscar
Peacock Bass
Red Drum
Redbreast Sunfish
Redear Sunfish
Redfin Pickerel
Redspotted Sunfish
Shoal Bass
Spotted Bass
Spotted Sunfish
Spotted Tilapia
Striped Bass
Striped Mullet
Suckermouth Catfish
Sunfish (Bream)
Suwannee Bass
Threadfin Shad
Warmouth
White Bass
White Catfish
Yellow Bullhead

Lakes with Flathead Catfish on FishExplorer
Flathead Catfish
Growing as large as five feet and over 100 pounds, flathead catfish are one of North America’s largest fresh water fish.  Their preferred habitats are deep pools, lakes, and large slow-moving rivers.  Within these waters they prefer submerged cover such as logs. Good flathead spots typically include structure, located in relatively deep water ideally with moderate current, and access baitfish. Flatheads typically prey only on live fish.
 
As their name suggests, they have flat heads, yet they looks similar to other catfish. They come equipped with a smooth, scaleless skin, barbels, and spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins. Flathead are typically yellowish to light brown on the back and sides, with a yellowish to cream belly.
 
Reaching sexual maturity in three to six year, spawning occurs from late May through August, when the water temperatures reach 75 degrees or better.  Flatheads prefer to nest in areas with submerged logs and other debris. Females lay approximately a 1,000 eggs per pound of body mass. After four to six days, the eggs hatch and the fry school together at the nest for several days, where the males guard them aggressively.
 

Flathead Catfish in Florida

The following is courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:
 
Appearance:  A flat head, tiny eyes, squarish tail and protruding lower jaw distinguish flathead from other. They are yellow-brown, usually mottled above, with a creamy colored belly.
 
Habitat:  Flathead are found in the Apalachicola and Escambia rivers, where they recently arrived from Georgia and Alabama. Flatheads prefer long, slow-flowing, moderately-turbid rivers.
 
Behavior:  Spawning occurs in late spring. One or both parents excavate the nest that is usually made in a natural cavity or near a large submerged object. Females lay a golden-yellow mass of up to 100,000 eggs. The nest is guarded and the eggs are agitated by the male to keep them clean and aerated. They feed on other fish, especially catfish and sunfish.
 
State Record: 49.39 pounds, and 42.50 inches total length (girth 36.25").


Most Recent Flathead Catfish Forum Posts
No posts found.
Flathead Catfish Articles, Blogs, & Podcasts
Blog: Hump Days 10.18.16 by Neal Wilkinson
Blog: Thoughts on Catfish Tactics 10.07.15 by David Coulson
Blog: Boomerang Tool Co. Grip 11.07.12 by Joshua Christensen
Blog: 4 Apps Every Angler With A Smartphone Should Use 02.09.12 by Joshua Christensen
Blog: Clouser Pattern Detailed - New Article 12.16.11 by Matt Snider
Blog: Become a pro 09.30.11 by Joshua Christensen
Blog: FishExplorer.com Launches California 09.27.11 by Matt Snider
Blog: California now on FishExplorer.com 09.23.11 by Matt Snider
Recent Florida Flathead Catfish Photos by Fish Explorer Members
No Photos Found.
Submit your photo...
 
×

Info